In my previous post (removed) I shared what I was calling leadership observations and frustrations from a recent effort of our church to "Feed the Bay." I emailed a few people in my world who are leaders in their worlds and ask for feedback on my thoughts. I received a few well written and thought out comments giving me what I was seeking. First, I would like to say I spoke out of turn in many ways. I spent five hours at a place that is open year round and has a plethora of things they do to help people break the cycle of poverty in their lives. I have no idea about any principles they use to govern what they do, how many volunteers serve year round. who really is their cliental or numerous other facts.  I didn’t do my homework, I just shot off about a gut feeling. As one writer shared with me there were 756 volunteers from 23 churches and organizations all over our county at multiple sights that help the poor. That is amazing for those of you who are familiar with how rare it is for churches in one community to cooperate. There are people who have been working on this project for months and months, I spent five hours with no preparation other than to drive to the site, put in my time and leave, that doesn’t really qualify me to speak to the subject with any real grasp of what is happening. One other thing that stood out to me was the significance of music to cross all barriers reaching to places service cannot go. Often as a pastor/speaker I was so focused on my part I wished the music would get over so I could get at my part. The singing part of worship is still my least favorite so I may need to expand myself in that area as well!

 

One of the reasons I have learned to ask for and love feedback is I know of no other way to see blind spots than to have others point them out to me. Sometimes it is through my own relationship with the Lord that He points them out and other times friends will. I hope I always have a circle of people close enough to tell me the truth. I hope the Lord allows me the opportunity to continue to seek feedback so real growth can continue to happen. Nothing in my Christian life has expedited the growth of organizations or people like someone looking you in the eye and telling you the truth. Nothing has helped me more than to be willing to hear it when someone does just that to me. So thanks to all you truth tellers and friends who care too much about the truth and me to not call me out when my thinking is off!

 

from the heart,

 

Scott